Vanity Help identify this snake found in my bedroom! Please!!

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

light brown/grey snake, no obviously pointed head, skinny about 10-12 inches long, looks like a baby

how can i identify this quickly before I figure out what to do with it.

[Vermont Lt]

Actually they might. Its a snake.

But according to Japanese custom, dont kill a cricket in your house its bad luck. And do you really want more of that...it seems you got enough of that.

[Tribune7]

You would let innocent crickets suffer? How could you? Didn't you ever see Pinocchio?

[Teacher317]

Well, I think I'm all out of New Mexico native, non-patterned, brown-and-yellow-bellied, tan, thin-tailed snakes to burn bandwidth with. If it isn't one of the ones I have posted here, then it's probably an "accidental introduction" (a pet from somewhere else that got loose). Of course, the photos are not definitive, as snakes, like people, can look a little different even though they are the same species.

Again, it's 99% likely it is NOT poisonous, 90% likely it eats mice and rats, and 100% likely that sungirl, myself, and the snake would be happier if you didn't kill it. (Mercy! Mercy!) The usual way to transport them is in a pillowcase with the snake at the bottom, and a simple knot tied in the opening at the top. Untie it, pour him out in a natural area, and run away screaming, errr, watch him slither away. ;^) Getting him IN the pillowcase, when you're afraid to touch him, is the tough part. Bait it with Cheetos, maybe? Oh, wait, that works on ME, not snakes. ;^)

[spectre]

It's the gospel truth...and they even rushed him to the hospital for anti-venom shot. He still died.

Look, your CATs won't even go near it...isn't that a tiny clue?

Be careful.

sw

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

call who? animal control, the zoo, biopark or nature center? any of those sound right?

[libravoter]

Animal Control.

You got the number there with you?

[Vermont Lt]

Got a hair dryer? Fill the tub with water. Plug in the hair dryer and toss it in the tub.

Just be sure you know where your circuit breaker is first.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

phone book...i can get the number pretty quickly

[Teacher317]

Flathead snake is a near-match? Cool.

As for who to call? LOL, the 12 year old boy next door is probably the quickest to respond, but animal control or animal rescue would be the proper authorities.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Thanks so much teacher317. your pics helped. Im calling animal control and seeing what they may do.

[libravoter]

O.K. Look it up now and post when you've found it, so we know you're about to dial.

(are you on a DSL or will you have to go off-line to call?)

[wimpycat]

It might help if you act half-hysterical on the phone, so they might respond quicker.

[snippy_about_it]

[Teacher317]

You may want to keep him around... check out what he eats...

FLATHEAD SNAKE:

Natural History: Probably nocturnal and found mostly in spring and autumn under rocks, logs, and other moist debris in forest or brushy slopes. Burrows deeply as surface soil dries in summer. Sometimes found on or along roads at bottoms of rocky hillsides. Mates in April and May and deposits 2-4 eggs in moist soil or under rocks during June. Young hatch in September at 7-0 cm TL. Eats scorpions, spiders, centipedes, and a variety of other small arthropods, which it probably tracks by scent.

VENOMOUS ALERT... SORT OF...

Two small, grooved rear fangs and small venom glands are apparently used in subduing prey, but the snake is no threat to human beings and does not bite when handled. Preyed upon by birds, small mammals, lizards, and other snakes.

"Rear fangs" means the teeth are in the back of the mouth, and would be nearly impossible to bite human skin, break the skin, and get ANY venom in the bloodstream... and even if it did, it's only strong enough to kill insects, not humans.

[libravoter]

Half-helping me to relax, half-helping me to think of the poor little kitties getting swallowed by a python.

But mostly helpful. (deeeeep breaths.)

[Teacher317]

You're very welcome. It was fun for me to try to remember all those Southwestern species from all those ears ago... and the internet is one HECK of a great researching tool! Feel free to FReepmail me anytime.

[Rev. Lou Chenary]

Just let it outside. Sounds like a common yard snake.

Will be much happier in the yard, Garter snakes are black and yellow over this way(New Hampshire).

[Cagey]

call who? animal control, the zoo, biopark or nature center? any of those sound right?

Nope. Only one call you need to make.

[Teacher317]

Ah, crud, they have RED bellies, not yellow bands, and tops out at about 8 inches... not a Flathead. Now I'll NEVER get to sleep! =^)

[Chad Fairbanks]

It's a New Mexico garter Snake...